Fox News host Jesse Watters has taken aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of mimicking former President Donald Trump's social media "style." The accusation comes after Newsom has been actively using social media platforms to criticize Trump's policies and defend his own leadership in California.
Watters, on his show "Jesse Watters Primetime," quipped, "Greasy Gavin is out there jocking Trump’s style. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But why doesn’t Gavin imitate his policies?" This jab suggests that Newsom's actions are a form of unintentional praise for the former president.
Newsom swiftly responded to Watters' comments on X, stating, "Still doesn’t get it." This short retort implies that Watters is missing the point of Newsom's social media strategy, which appears to be a direct critique and counter-narrative to Trump's policies and online presence.
Adding fuel to the fire, Newsom's press office chimed in, offering a blunt explanation for why the governor won't imitate Trump's policies: "because they are trash." This direct and unapologetic response highlights the deep ideological divide between Newsom and Trump.
Newsom's press office has been employing a strategy of mimicking Trump's social media tactics for weeks, often using all-caps and creating nicknames for political opponents. While this approach has drawn criticism from conservatives and the MAGA base, who argue it lacks authenticity, data suggests it's proving effective.
CNN data analyst Harry Enten recently noted that Newsom's social media strategy is "absolutely" working, pointing to a surge in social media followers and Google searches. He highlighted a significant 450% increase in followers for Newsom's press office account on X.
Is Newsom's Strategy Paying Off?
The exchange between Watters and Newsom underscores the ongoing political tensions and the evolving landscape of political communication. Whether Newsom's strategy will translate into long-term political gains remains to be seen, but it's clear that his approach is generating buzz and capturing attention.